-- VETERANS DAY! I am honored to serve with you all, my brothers and sisters “of the sword.” Thank you for your service and your sacrifice. I also, "Thank YOU, my Lord and Savior, for taking the 'bullet' Satan intended for me when you made history’s ultimate sacrifice by going to the cross for us!"
Thank another vet today…and let’s again resolve to NEVER FORGET. Have a listen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GpLyZLV4t_I&feature=related; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GpLyZLV4t_I&feature=related.
-- Speaking of VETERANS, please remember the family and colleagues of fallen San Diego PD Officer Chris Wilson in your prayers. Here’s a link with photos of Chris’s funeral: http://www.signonsandiego.com/photos/galleries/2010/nov/04/officer-chris-wilsons-funeral/ .
-- BIBLICAL COUNSELING: We are partnering with Tulsa PD Capt. Travis Yates of Ten-Four Ministries and retired police officer Kevin Johnson to make biblical counseling available to law enforcement personnel. This service comes free of charge! Simply go to http://www.tenfourministries.org/counseling.
Study RECAP:
The Lord is a WARRIOR! God’s View of Law Enforcement & the Military
-- Speaking of VETERANS, please remember the family and colleagues of fallen San Diego PD Officer Chris Wilson in your prayers. Here’s a link with photos of Chris’s funeral: http://www.signonsandiego.com/photos/galleries/2010/nov/04/officer-chris-wilsons-funeral/ .
-- BIBLICAL COUNSELING: We are partnering with Tulsa PD Capt. Travis Yates of Ten-Four Ministries and retired police officer Kevin Johnson to make biblical counseling available to law enforcement personnel. This service comes free of charge! Simply go to http://www.tenfourministries.org/counseling.
Study RECAP:
The Lord is a WARRIOR! God’s View of Law Enforcement & the Military
Throughout the Bible, police and military are one and the same. The Centurion model in the New Testament (NT) is particularly poignant – soldiers are ALWAYS mentioned in connection with their LE role.
-- Three LE jurisdictions in New Testament Palestine: Temple Guard (local); Herod family (state); and the Roman (“feds”).
-- These competing jurisdictions were front-and-center in the legal drama of Jesus’ arrest, trial, scourging (torture) and crucifixion (death penalty).
-- The Centurion: a ranking officer (analogous to a modern-day police sergeant or lieutenant) over 100 Roman soldiers (LEOs). Centurions were selected for their faithfulness, courage and integrity, and were quite literally the key to stability of entire Roman government.
(1) Centurion at Capernaum:
(a) Compassionate, humble, honored God-given authority, great faith (Matthew 8:5-10)
(b) Community-oriented, unselfish (Luke 7:4-5)
(1) Centurion at Capernaum:
(a) Compassionate, humble, honored God-given authority, great faith (Matthew 8:5-10)
(b) Community-oriented, unselfish (Luke 7:4-5)
(2) The Centurion at the Cross: Honest witness that Jesus is the Son of God (Mark 15:38-39).
(3) Cornelius the Centurion – considered 1st non-Jewish convert to Christianity. Acts 10 reveals Cornelius as a
(a) Devout, God-fearing, generous, prayer warrior. V. 1-2
(b) Humble. V. 4, 25
(c) Obedient to God. V. 7-8
(d) Righteous, respected. V. 22
(e) Hospitable. V. 24, 48
(f) Complete and accurate testimony. V. 30-33
(g) Believes in the Gospel and is baptized with his family and friends. 44-48
(h) Recognized that he needed spiritual “backup” from the “ultimate” Peace Officer…
(4) Julius the Centurion. Acts 27
(a) Kind. V. 3
(b) Courageous, protective. V. 43
(5) Other New Testament peace officers: see Acts 7, 16, 18, 19, 21:27-28, 31.
(6) Old Testament LEOs include but are by no means limited to Moses, Caleb, Joshua, Gideon, Deborah, Samson (good example of a “bad cop”), Nehemiah, Daniel, David, David’s “mighty men” (II Samuel 23), and Elijah – standing strong on Mt. Carmel (1 Kings 18)
So was Jesus Christ some kind of weak, wimpy pacifist? NO! On the contrary, God’s word in Exodus 15:3 declares that The LORD is a warrior; The LORD is His name.
-- Isaiah 42:13 The LORD will go forth like a warrior, He will arouse His zeal like a man of war.* A mighty warrior who will work through “My Servant” (Jesus Christ) to overcome all enemies.
-- Isaiah 42:13 The LORD will go forth like a warrior, He will arouse His zeal like a man of war.* A mighty warrior who will work through “My Servant” (Jesus Christ) to overcome all enemies.
-- Zephaniah 3:17 says, The LORD your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves.
-- Psalm 18!
-- Psalm 144:1 Blessed by the Lord my rock who trains my hands for war and my fingers for battle.
Note: Definition of “meekness” is strength under control!
** Special thanks to Officer and Chaplain Steve Lee of Peace Officer Ministries for the use of resources from his special Readers Guide in the God’s Word for Peace Officers Bible.
Feel free to use this as a resource for your own personal or group devotions and studies. Next week we'll explore the concept of biblical "cover" for LEOs. Are YOU "covered?"
** Special thanks to Officer and Chaplain Steve Lee of Peace Officer Ministries for the use of resources from his special Readers Guide in the God’s Word for Peace Officers Bible.
Feel free to use this as a resource for your own personal or group devotions and studies. Next week we'll explore the concept of biblical "cover" for LEOs. Are YOU "covered?"
Stay the course and finish strong in Christ!
